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Poker Rules

Background information

Texas
Holdem is by far the most popular form of Poker being played on the internt
today. We have just created a new section about Texas
Holdem with a number of articles written my Lou
Krieger which we strongly suggest you visit and read.

There
is a common illusion that poker is largely a game of chance, but nothing
could be further from the truth. Poker originated, according to David
Parlett (A History of Card Games, Oxford 1991), in New Orleans
in 1803. It has evolved alot since those early days if crooked dealing
on Mississippi steamboats. The Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas
now holds an annual World Championship with a first prise of over a million
dollars!

Online
Casinos hold poker games 24 hours a day and a skilful player can make
a comfortable living at the game. The advantage of playing in online casinos
is that a dealer is provided and the game will therefore be fair unlike
many illegal establishments where stacked decks and dealers who can deal
from the bottom or even second card at will are a danger to the unsuspecting
player. Of course other than the fairness other great benifits to playing
online are the speed and security of the action, you can play right now
from whereever you are.

If
you are intending to play online poker for serious stakes we strongly
recommend that you learn as much about the game as possible and that you
only play in reputable casinos and online casinos such as those listed
on this site. It is also worth bearing in mind that there are many different
variations of the game so ensure you learn the same variation that you
play to save yourself from any nasty surprises.

It
is important that you know both the rank of the cards and the order of
the hands. To view our page which is aimed at helping you learn this please
Poker
Tips & Poker Hands To find out where to get free poker
chips online visit our homepage.

Draw Poker Rules

The basic form of
poker is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. There are other versions
in which more than one deck is used others where a reduced deck with being
'stripped' that before mentioning versions with in which one or more jokers
are used.

Poker is not played
against the Casino (known as the House) rather it is played against the
other players. There can be upto 8 players in a standard game. Firstly,
each player contributes an amount known as an 'ante', to the 'pot' in
the centre of the table. In some games the ante is provided by the dealer
or by the first 2 players; there are house rules in every casino so watch
for variations.

Five cards are then
dealt face-down to each player. Following that there are basically 3 stages:-

1.
A round of betting. The player to the left of the dealer decides
whether to bet known as 'to open' or not to bet known as 'to check'. The
rules of the particular game and the players hand will dictate whether
or not the player bets and if so how much. It is common to set a minimum
hand that a player must have to open the betting, say a pair of jacks
or better. Once the play has been 'opened' subsequent (in the same clockwise
direction) either call by paying an equal amount into the pot or raise
by paying that amount plus plus an additional sum. Its worth noting that
an additional amount paid to raise is dictated by the house rules of the
game you are playing in. This goes on until each player still in the game
have placed the same amount of money into the pot.

2.
The drawing of cards.
This is where players can change up to 3 cards (some games allow up to
4 cards to be changed so again watch for house variations). These new
cards will again be delt face-down. This phase begins after all raises
have been called and no further raises have been made.

3.
A final betting stage.
This continues until each player still left in has placed the same amount
in the pot or until all but one player has folded their cards. This is
were all players left decide whether or not they think they have the best
hand. It is worth noting that the best hand will not always win the pot
an opportunity to bluff and a little strategic play can help alot here.

A good player needs
to have a sound knowledge of the odds and a correct strategy, thus knowing
when to fold, call or raise. To view our page with an odds table and tips
to help you click
here

We also suggest you
read as much about the games tatics and stratgies as you can but remember
there is no substitute for practise. You can play for free thus practise
for free at any of the casinos reviewed on this site. We suggest you try
playing at intercasino as that tends to have alot of other players online
so there is a bit more social interaction and a transfer of knowledge.Click
here to visit intercasino and start practising now!

If you like Poker you may also like video poker we offer more information
about vidio poker in that section of our site use the link at the top
left of this page to visit that section now.